Hurricane Hunters overseas?

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

I was wondering if anyone knew how many people at the Hurricane Hunter Wx Reconn. station in Biloxi end up going to Iraq? Do most stay stateside to fly storms, or are there are lot that have been activated overseas? Just curious, thanks.

 

[bssthound]

So far, none. Our mission is to fly tropical storms/hurricanes/winter storms that threaten the U.S. and Hawaii. There's a possibility that we could be sent over to fly airlift.

 

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

Oh really?
I heard they were interviewing in January for pilots; do you know if there is going to be another selection board meeting in 2006? Also, I read that you were supposed to start flight school by your 27th birthday or something like that; do you know if that's accurate? (I'm 26 and 4 months.) Thanks so much.

 

[mudkow60]

bssthound...

Do you fly with them? When I was getting out of the Navy, I talked to some folks over there. Very nice and helpful.

Are you guys back at Keesler? I landed the Sea Pig there a few times to get fuel and pick up pax when I was in P Cola, and during Katrina stuff.

Looks like great flying. I am a metro major so I think it would be a blast.

 

[bssthound]

Mudkow60: I've been in the 53d ten years this summer. We've been back at Keesler since early November. Storm flying is unique, to say the least. I've seen some incredible sights, both on the surface and in the clouds. One thing, anyone who's flown in a hurricane and seen what it does to the sea surface would not hesitate to evacuate an oncoming storm. Also, we have picked up several Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard guys since I've been here.

SmellsLikeAvGas: I'm not sure how the age deal works. We just had a nav get picked up for UPT. He goes in May. He's about 27 or so; since he's already been in the military I think he'd be good up to about 30 or so. There are plenty of threads about UPT requirements. Also, there are many, many FI members who can tell you the exact age requirements.

 

[dtfl]

FYI if you get "hired" as a new Pilot in the 53rd you will fly with the TAC airlift sq. The Wing CC wants the new pilots to get seasoning doing real flying (no offense JF) vs flying in circles on autopilot. The TAC flying is more challenging and you learn how to fly - then you can move back and fly the storms.

 

[yeahguy]

bssthound,

I'm too curious: what does the sea surface look like underneath a hurricane???

also, I just finished hanging out with your guys at the Punta Gorda airshow...good times!!!

 

[bssthound]

yeahguy asked

I'm too curious: what does the sea surface look like underneath a hurricane???

Check out our website: www.hurricanehunters.com
Click on into the eye: 1996-2005; it has a few pictures and brief descriptions of just about every storm we flew during that period.

Notice it's a dot com address; it's the 53d's own site, period.

As far as a description; when we get in close to the max wind band near the eye if you can see the surface it looks like a big plate of blue & green glue with cotton streaked across it. Kinda eerie. Farther out from the eye I've seen waves about 100' tall that would crash down approx the length of a city block.

also, I just finished hanging out with your guys at the Punta Gorda airshow...good times!!!

Yes, they came back a bit "tired" but with smiles on their faces. I'd have made that one but I was taking a census of our pond with a rod & reel!

Speaking of Punta Gorda, I was flying Charley as it came ashore. Very ugly.

 

[MJG]

On a related note, how many The Weather Channel meteorologists are part of the unit?? Just Warren and Nicole ?? Just curious as I was caught off guard seeing Lt. Nicole Mitchell being interviewed by Jim Cantorie one day last season. Very cool to see some "celebs" doing the reserve thing.

 

[bssthound]

Warren & Nicole are the only two WX Channel folks we have. They're both flying meteorologists, known as Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officers (ARWOs). They were both in the military well prior to working at the WX Channel. Both are great folks and really good Reservists.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Cowell, are you out there???

 

[bssthound]

He's in our sister squadron, the 815th.

 

[MarineGrunt]

He's in our sister squadron, the 815th.

Gotcha. Just wondering if he was a member/lurker here. Went to UPT with him, awesome dude...

 

[bssthound]

Yes, he is an awesome dude. His dad was a pilot in our sqdn for 25 or 30 years, just retired. Also, a great guy. Brandon actually interviewed with us; the General sent him to the TAC sqdn, like all the other new UPT returnees, upon his return to BIX, like dtfl pointed out earlier.

 

[Way2Broke]

Anyone here part of the crew that spends alot of time in St. Croix?

 

[Tweetdrvr]

So if Warren or Nicole are on camera that morning, and are AF meterologists, can I just put their initials on the 175 to say that was my verbal?

Their info seems more accurate than what you get from the hub centers in their dark holes.

 

[bssthound]

can I just put their initials on the 175 to say that was my verbal?

Funny you should mention. They are part of a new telephone service that just started. You can call 1-(800)-WARRIOR for your wx brief. Each incoming call's area code and exchange are picked up by the computer; if you're using a cell phone the computer detects the tower where the call is originating. It then either gives you current conditions/forecast for the closest airfield to the call's origination, or, if there's more than one airfield from where you're calling it allows you to chose from a list of fields. If your airfield isn't there you simply hit the pound sign and enter the three letter identifier. Pretty nifty!!

Try it out, it really works well for something as new as it is!!

Anyone here part of the crew that spends alot of time in St. Croix?

Just about everyone in the unit deploys down there for storms. We rotate people in and out; we're really only down there when we're tasked to fly storms or to drop off/pick up equipment at the beginning and end of the season.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Funny you should mention. They are part of a new telephone service that just started. You can call 1-(800)-WARRIOR for your wx brief.

Oh, aren't you funny.






Yeah, you got me, you f^%&er! :laugh:

 

[yeahguy]

bssthound,

I just got back in town and finally got a chance to check out your website. Thanks for the link.

Somebody has a lot of time on his hands, must be a reservist , but I'm glad because that's a pretty neat website. Amazing pictures.

You guys fly safe out there.

P.S. I remember his name, but I won't dime him out: one of your buds was seen dancing at Harpoon Harry's in Punta Gorda. Alcohol was probably a factor, but nevertheless, he needs lessons!

 

[KCPilot]

Oh really?
I heard they were interviewing in January for pilots; do you know if there is going to be another selection board meeting in 2006? Also, I read that you were supposed to start flight school by your 27th birthday or something like that; do you know if that's accurate? (I'm 26 and 4 months.) Thanks so much.

The age was changed to 30 in 1999. I went right after it was changed at 29 and was the old guy LOL!

 

[bssthound]

yeahguy says:

I remember his name, but I won't dime him out: one of your buds was seen dancing at Harpoon Harry's in Punta Gorda. Alcohol was probably a factor, but nevertheless, he needs lessons!

Don't worry, you just did. If it's who I'm positive it is, he, as we say here in Miss'ippi, "ain't scared of a cold beer."

The crew that went down there had a blast. I'd have liked to have gone but my airshow days are just about behind me. Though I've never popped a pill in my life I know exactly what Hank Jr. meant when he said "Cornbread and ice tea have took the place of pills and 90 proof!"

I guess I could say that "Myoplex and multivitamins have took the place of Erdinger and Cruzan rum!!"

 

[yeahguy]

Concur with all.

It's tough getting old, and like your shipmate, yours truly "ain't scared of a cold beer" neither.

 

[SmellsLikeAvGas]

KCPilot, Are you out of Keesler?
I was wondering if the age 30 rule was pretty much across the board in the AF and AF Reserves, or if maybe the Hurricane Hunters had their own (lower) age limit? (The HH website says you must be 27.5 yrs old or less when you start flight school, but I was hoping that was old info.) Thanks!

 

[slacker]

That's old info, the age is the same as the rest of the AF, now 30 (unless it's changed, then ignore what I said). The Hurricane Hunters aren't actually sending newbies to UPT anymore. As a newbie you'll go to the 815th to gain "experience".

 

[big_al]

Id join just to work with Nicole

 

[McGillicutty]

Yes, he is an awesome dude. His dad was a pilot in our sqdn for 25 or 30 years, just retired. Also, a great guy. Brandon actually interviewed with us; the General sent him to the TAC sqdn, like all the other new UPT returnees, upon his return to BIX, like dtfl pointed out earlier.

Good to hear he's doing ok. He was in my baby-flight during OTS; the dude works hard.

 

[KCPilot]

KCPilot, Are you out of Keesler?
I was wondering if the age 30 rule was pretty much across the board in the AF and AF Reserves, or if maybe the Hurricane Hunters had their own (lower) age limit? (The HH website says you must be 27.5 yrs old or less when you start flight school, but I was hoping that was old info.) Thanks!

That is old info. The ago 30 is AF wide. I'd say apply and keep bugging them if that is where you'd like to go. I think they have a slot or two the last time I checked, but as a new guy (2Lt) you would not count against the manning for 5 yrs.

Good Luck!